Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Merry Christmas!

Wow! We had an amazing Christmas! We started out our Christmas Eve with our usual traditions. We loaded up the van, went through the drive-through at Arby's (2 Reuben sandwiches, some fries, and about 20 jr. roast beef sandwiches:). While we ate our dinner, we drove through the annual Christmas Light Festival at Thanksgiving Point. On our way back, we listened to a version of the Christmas Carol that the Green family has been listening to for over 60 years. It is a 1930's version with Basil Rathbone as Ebeneezer Scrooge. I listened to it every Christmas Eve as a kid, and we have continued with the tradition in our family. The older kids really enjoy it, and this year was even better because we saw a stage play version earlier in December. (Graci and Jess probably prefer the "Barbie Christmas Carol Movie" but hey, at least they'll listen with us.) Once we got home, we acted out the nativity.

Graci was Mary, Xander was Joseph, and Lex was baby Jesus

Taylor was the donkey?!?

Jessica was the angel

Dad was the narrator

Parker was a wise man (giving a gift to baby Jesus)

And Sophi was just cute!

After acting out the nativity and singing several Christmas Carols along with it, we moved along to "grand bags." Originally, these were "grab bags" started by my dad. He got a few presents for each of us one Christmas many years ago, but didn't have time to wrap them. He got a paper grocery bag for each child, and put the gifts in these. Then we went around, with each person pulling out one thing from their grab bag each time it was their turn. This became a tradition that has lasted well over 20 years. The first few years we had kids, we went to my parents house for Christmas, and my dad put together one his grab bags for each of his grandkids. But Taylor and Parker, knowing they were from GRANDpa, thought they were called GRAND bags. And so they have been "grand bags" ever since:) Grand bags contain mostly food items that you wouldn't normally get throughout the year. Favorite cereals, different types of cookies, crackers, chips, and juice. Nuts, pudding, whatever. The kids love them. I went a little overboard this year-four of the kids had to have and extra bag to hold all of the loot I got them! Fun stuff:)

Jesi gets her very own Pumpkin Hot Cocoa!

Then, just as we were getting the kids tucked in altogether downstairs...

...we heard a knock at our front door! Christi and I had an idea what might be waiting for us on our front porch. A couple of weeks beforehand, we received a phone call from Santa Claus! He told us he would be calling back in 24 hours and wanted us to put together a Christmas Wish List for our eight children! True to his word he called back, and we listed a few things that each child had asked for. We figured he would be able to have some flexibility that way. Instead, Santa brought everything the kids had asked for, plus stockings full of treats, plus a Christmas Dinner complete with a delicious ham, plus several presents for mom and dad!!! Wow, were we spoiled. Thanks, Santa Claus:)!

We each opened a present from Santa on Christmas Eve. Boy did our kids feel special that Santa made a special, early visit to our family:) The next morning, we opened another Santa present, then we got our sweet, beautiful kids all ready for church. When we got home, we finished Santa presents and presents from each other:

What a great way to celebrate the birth of our Savior. Thanks to the many, many, many people who have done so many, many, many wonderful things for our family. Merry Christmas.

When we fell in love 20 years ago, we started down a path that has been challenging, exhausting, and breathtakingly beautiful. Here we chronicle the blessings and stressings of parenting some pretty amazing children. We think they're the perfect travel companions as we look forward to the next fork in the road. Welcome to our journey.

Jeremy and Christianne

Taylor Jeremy--18

Parker Matthew--17

The red-headed social butterfly, he's our all-star athlete, top student, outdoor-loving, spunky second-born, with a heart of pure gold!

Jessica Anne "Jesi"--14

Our little princess with the big smile, Jesi loves fashion, friends, hanging with her siblings, and vacations. She sparkles!

Jacob Michael-- 6/8/2004

Little one of heavenly birth, born too soon to bloom on earth. You have taught us so much--we love you, Jacob!

Emily Anne "Emmy"--9/28/2005

Emily's exquisite little hands and feet have left their mark in this world. Her body was tiny, but her spirit enormous. We miss her!

Elizabeth Mei "Elli"--13

Elli's world may be dark, but she's the light of our lives! Lover of music, chocolate, and new toys, she fights a courageous battle with autism while bringing joy to all who know her!!

Gracelin Kate "Graci"--19

Showing true grace throughout her battles with heart disease and pulmonary hypertension, our Gracester is loved by everyone! She's smart, gorgeous, friendly, and has faith to move mountains!

Alexander Philip "Xander"--12

With a spunk and smile that could outmatch anyone's, our Xander has not let Cloves Syndrome get the best of him. He's a talented chef, a caring friend to MANY, our best helper, and is full of teenage humor.

Alexis Li "Lexi"--13

Meet the friendliest girl on the planet! Blind from birth, Lexi amazes all of us with her braille skills, determination, talents, but mosly by the way she spends her days SMILING. She is an angel in every way. We are thrilled to have our darling daughter home six years from China!!

Sophia Breanne "Sophi"--9

Her eyes called out to us from half-way around the world. Little Sophi is growing up and we would do anything to freeze her in time! She's beautiful, smart, and coy and can do amazing things with her toes! She has inspired people all around the world and we can't believe she is ours. Sophi = perfection.

Calais Rose "Cali"--17

Charming Cali joined our family in December of 2012. This girl is beautiful both inside and out. Born with spina bifida, Cali is confined to a wheelchair, but that does not keep her from enjoying life to the fullest. She is smart, opinionated, strong, and lovely in every way. She is a light in our family and a magnet for handsome young men!

Conner Allen-- 17

Meet our newest addition! Home three years from China, Conner makes us wonder what we ever did without him. Blind from birth, he will blow you away with his incredible talent on the piano. He is sweet, witty, girl-crazy, kind and finally, OURS! We love you, Conner!

The Dog

Baxter-- 6 months

She begged and pleaded and wrote letter after letter telling us why she NEEDED a dog, and Sophi finally got her wish! Meet Baxter, the cutest mini-audssiedoodle on the planet.